Same Song 5th Verse

This is my fifth trip to Liberia...the story is the same. A few have much while many have little. Those who have much don't seem to care that many have little. I have talked to so many who agree that what we are doing is a good thing. I ask them, if we don't take care of the 59 children in our home, who will? The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare does not have the money to take care of them. Their parents don't have the money to take care of them, that is why they are here! Do these people who are opposing adoption wanting the children to just starve? Is that ok? Why should I be ok with that? Should you be ok with that? But how do I fight it? God has called me to adoption. I have contemplated many times if I can just fund raise and help the people. But God has said no! Adoption is my calling! My passion! But we use what we make in adoption to change the lives of children and adults who are left in Liberia. Why is that a bad thing?

Our opposition is far and wide. Most are "Christians" that we fight. Both in Liberia and in America. How is that? How do people who call themselves followers of Christ work against us when our desire is to feed children and help them. The list of things we have done for Liberia goes on and on...and I hope it continues to go on and on some more! But right now, I have to worry about where the next month's meal and salary money will come from. Will the Ministry of Health help me if I can't feed the children? NO! Will President Sirleaf who put the ban on adoption feed the children next month? NO! It is up to me, ok, not really up to me since God is in total control, but you get the drift. I have to make sure the money is there. And if it is not, find the avenue that God wants to use to bring the money.

But the money is really just a small part. It is also the children who sit here with out a mommy and daddy to tuck them in. I am Mother HollyAnn here at Addy's Hope. When I come to the home at the end of every day, the kids bombard me. They want a hug..they want to hear someone say their name! Their little eyes light up every time I use their name! They want to be someone special! Doesn't every child deserve that? There are 18 families waiting to tell them just how special they are, but because of government and politics, they are not allowed to.

UNICEF and Save the Children would rather see them starve than go to another culture. I have always said, and still believe that the children should reaming with a family member if at all possible! But sometimes, that just can't happen. And with the poverty that is in Liberia, families cannot take in all the children that are in need in this country.

I could go on and on. I just don't understand. I know this is my call...I know there is no walking away from it. I entertain the idea now and then, but I know down deep that God has not released me, and probably will not for quite some time! So I must press on! I must draw closer to God so that I can lean on Him and rely on His wisdom and protection and guidance.

If you are reading this, pray for me. Pray that I would have the perseverance to sustain me even when it seems that nothing is happening. Pray that I would believe with all that is within me that God is working behind the scenes even when I don't see anything happening.

On a lighter note, I had a first this trip...well many firsts, but this one was surreal. I was walking down the hall at the capital and a guy said, "Hey, I saw you on tv last night!" It took me a minute to register, then I said, "Yes you did." I am never quite sure which side of the fence anyone is on with adoption so I didn't know if I was about to get slammed or congratulated. So I just started praying for the right words and attitude whatever remarks came. I am not sure he was totally pro-adoption, but he did say he enjoyed the porgram. I had another press conference, and this time the tv station was here. It was mainly on adoption education. There is still so much ignorance here about adoption. As the Liberians say, we have to change the mindset of the people. We will be traveling to some villages to help do just that while I am here. I am excited about that as I can meet more Liberians and get out of the Monrovia area to where the real need is.

I also had another first. I did a live radio interview. That was a little unnerving, but God was so faithful and gave me the words I needed. I even saw one of the government officials that I had talked to the day before in an elevator after the interview and she said she heard it. I kind of held my breath, but let it out when she said, "I was pleased with what was said!" Yes!

Headed to bed! I am going to take tomorrow to visit with some of the people I am trying to help...the people who have nothing in Liberia! I so want to improve their quality of life!

By the way...as I type this, I am listening to Barney as 30 some-odd Liberian children sing, "Clean up, Clean up, Everybody, Every where!" Got to love it! :)